When using Televisions and Computers, we subject ourselves to a large amount of Blue Light. Too much Blue Light leads to issues like eye strain, headaches, and an inability for your body to regulate it’s Sleep Cycle. Blue Light does have its important role for our vision. We are designed to be exposed to a moderate amount of it during the day through sunlight for example. This promotes wakefulness and alertness. Too much blue light at night on the other hand, is what causes our sleep cycles to be disrupted, causing our bodies to no longer predict and regulate the cycle between being active in the day, and resting at night.

So what can we do about this issue? There are a number of software settings and programs for different devices meant to help reduce the exposure to blue light on various digital devices, with varying degrees of success. There exists a physical solution however, by using what is known as ‘Computer Glasses”. These are special purpose built glasses designed to reduce the glare, increase contrast, and increase the view-ability of objects on the screen.

There are several key components that computer glasses will use,

  1. Anti-Reflective (AR) Coating: The “AR” coating is implemented to reduce the Glare from digital screens. The quality of the coating varies between the manufacturers and their glasses. Its recommended to invest in a pair of glasses with a high quality AR coating. This prevents issues like fingerprints and smudges from getting in the way and causing a reduction in the glasses effectiveness.
  2. Color Tints: Most computer glasses usually have an orange/yellow color tint applied to them to increase the contrast of the screen and filter out harsh light spectrums so that your eye muscles can relax.

The cost of these glasses can often range from inexpensive to extremely expensive. Roughly ranging anywhere from 30 dollars for the most basic to a few hundred for prescription grade glasses. These glasses also are not designed to be worn over your regular glasses.

A clinical study/survey by New York University College of Medicine of 121 patients, found that 69% of them preferred AR-coated lenses over non-coated ones and reported lower pain or vision problems due to glare. There are many that follow the school of thought that if you aren’t experiencing any form of eye strain from your digital device usage, then you should be fine as you are. A larger majority of users will experience some form of relief by using Computer Glasses however. It is worth giving a pair of glasses a try to see what beneficial effects you might experience. Your vision will thank you for it